Box lidder



L. A. PLATT 3,380,228

BOX LIDDER 6 Sheets-Sheet l April 3o, 196s Filed June 50, 1964 INVENTOR.

LHWRENCE A. P/.HTT

H770 RNE YS n IUI. Ulllll J ,Jb/MKM 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 L. A. PLATT BOXLIDDER April 3o, 196s Filed June 30. 1964 ATTQRNEYS L.A.PLATT April 3o,1968 BOX LI DDER 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 30, 1964 INVENTOR.

LA WRE/vcf A PLATT HTTONEYS L. A. PLATT April 3o, 196s BOX LIDDER 6Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 30, 1964 INVENTOR.

LHWRENCE PLHTT /777'0ENE Ys L. A. PLATT April 3o, 196s BOX LIDDER 6Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 30, 1964 INVENTOR.

HM/FENCE f7. PLHTT MKM /9 TTOR/V YS pril 30, 1968 L. A. PLATT 3,380,228

BOX LIDDER Filed June SO, 1964 6 Sheets-Sheet e 452 i 46 /48 INVENTOR.Ev-h` ,so LA WRENCE n. PLHTT f` 94 BY I 494 52 e mfr HTTOENE YS3,380,228 BOX LIEDER Lawrenee A. Platt, Bonner Springs, Kans., assignerto Stephens Industries, Inc., Kansas City, Mo., a corporation ofMissouri Filed-June 30, 1964, Ser. No. 379,233 6 Claims. (Cl. Sli-315)My invention relates to an improved box lidder and more particularly tobox lidding apparatus which facilitates the assembly of lids on boxbottoms and which is readily adjustable to accommodate a wide range ofbox sizes.

One of the most difhcult problems facing many manufacturers is that ofpackaging manufactured articles which are to be placed in boxes forsale. In the prior art this is largely a manual operation wherein thepacker takes a bottom from a supply of bottoms, places the article orarticles in the bottom, takes a lid from a supply of lids and thenplaces the lid on the bottom. It will readily be appreciated that thismanual operation is relatively expensive.

It has been suggested in the prior art that automatic equipment beprovided for assembling lids on bottoms to provide the packer with asupply of lidded boxes. The apparatus proposed in the prior art suersfrom a number of defects and limitations. The equipment is relativelycomplicated for the result achieved. No provision is made foraccommodatin-g boxes of different size so that one machine can handleonly one size box. Bottoms and lids having minor imperfections mayprevent their assembly so as to disrupt the oper-ation of the machine orat least destroy the box.

I have invented an improved box lidder which overcomes the disadvantagesof box lidders which have been proposed in the prior art. My lidderaccommodates minor imperfections in bottoms and lids so as effectivelyto assemble even lids and bottoms with such minor defects. My box lidderis readily adjustable to accommodate a wide range of box sizes. I soarrange my lidder as to permit the complete assembly of fullytelescoping lids on bottoms.

One object of my invention is to provide an improved box lidder whichwill accommodate minor imperfections in lids and bottoms so as toassemble such lids on such bottoms.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved box lidderwhich readily accommodates a wide range of box sizes.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved box lidderwhich permits the assembly of fully telescoping lids on bottoms.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an improved boxlidder for assembling lids on bottoms in a rapid and expeditious manner.

Other and further objects of my invention will appear from the followingdescription.

In general my invention contemplates the provision of an improved boxlidder in which an adjustable escapement mechanism releasably holds abox bottom in position to be engaged by a conveyor pusher adapted toengage the bottom to move it into engagement with a lid and through anassembly zone wherein the lid and bottom are assembled. My pusher bowsthe back wall ofthe bottom inwardly as -it moves through the assemblyzone so as to facilitate movement of the lid into assembled position onthe bottom.

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the instant specicationand which are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which likereference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:

States Patent 3,3%,223 Patented pr. 30, 1968 FIGURE 1 is a fragmentaryside elevation of the end of my box lidding apparatus which receivesbottoms and tops to be assembled.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of my box lidding apparatusshowing the portion of the apparatus wherein bottoms are assembled withtops.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of my box lidding apparatustaken :along the line 3 3 of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE y4 is a fragmentary top plan view of my box lidding apparatustaken along the line 4 4 of FIG- URE 2.

FIGURE 5 is an end elevation of my box lidding apparatus illustratingthe end at which lidded boxes are delivered.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of rny box lidding apparatus taken alongthe line 6-6 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary view of the driving conveyor of my liddingapparatus illustrating the configuration of one ofthe conveyor pushers.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary plan View of a portion of my box liddingapparatus illustrating the connection between tlie bottom feedingconveyor and the driving conveyor thereof.

FIGURE 9 is a schematic view illustrating one form of electrical controlcircuit which can be employed with my lidding apparatus.

Referring to FIGURES 1, 3, 5 and 8 of the drawings, the box liddingportion of my apparatus, indicated generally by the reference character10, comprises respective side walls 12 and I4 held in asembled4relationship by a front frame 16, a rear frame 18 and a cross brace 20secured to the portions of the walls 12 Iand 14 extending beyond therear frame as viewed in FIGURE 1.

I provide my machine with a first conveyor indicated generally by thereference character 2?. which receives lbox bottoms. Respective bearings24 and 26 carried by the walls 12 and 14 rotatably support a shaft 28carrying a pair of pulleys 39 and 32. V-belts 34 and 36 carried by thepulleys 30 and 32 extend around pulleys 31 and 33 carried by a shaft 35rotatably supported in bearings 37 and 39 on the sides 12 and 14. Boxbottoms fed to the conveyor 22 including the belts 34 and 36 are carriedover guides 48, Si) and 52 toward an escapement mechanism indicatedgenerally by the reference character 54. A sprocket wheel 45 carried bya shaft 42 supported in bearings 44 and 46 on sides 12 and I4 drives achain 43 which drives a wheel 41 on shaft 35.

Each of a pair of upright guides S8 and 60 on the sides 12 and 14 hasrespective slots 62 and 64 therein. The pair of slots l62 receive asto-p lbar 66 while the slots 6&4 receive an escapement bar 68.Respective uprights 7 (i and 72 on the sides 12 and 14 carry brackets74, each of which brackets supports a stop bar adjusting arm '76 and anescapement actuating arm 78. Respective links S9 and y8.?. pivotallyconnect arms 76 and 78 to the ends of the bars 66 and 68. I provide thearm 76 adjacent side 14 with an extension 34 which pivotally supports abell crank 86. A link lS8 connects one arm of the bell crank 86 to theend of arm 78. A link connects the other bell crank arm to the armature92 of a solenoid 94. Arm 76 also carries a shaft 96 which rides in anarcuate slot 98 in a plate 100. A .knob 97 threaded on the `end of shaft96 permits the position of the shaft in slot 98 to be adjusted toposition the bars 66 and 68 to accommodate box bottoms of vari-ousheights. A bracket supports the solenoid 94 on the arm 78 for movementtherewith readily to permit adjustment of bar 68.

From the structure just described, it will be apparent that a box bottomfed to the conveyor 22 is carried by the conveyor to a point at whichthe front of the box is engaged by the escapement rod 68. Rod 66 is sopositioned with respect to the rod 68 that it overlies a box bottom inengagement with the escapement bar 68. As will be described hereinafter,when a box bottom is to be released for engagement with a lid, solenoid94 is energized to rotate bell crank 86 in a clockwise direction asviewed in FIGURE 1 to pivot arm 78 slightly in a counterclockwisedirection to lift the bar 68 a sufiicient distance to free the boxbottom. Shaft 42 carries accelerating rolls 38 and 40 which accelerate abottom leaving the escapement mechanism 54.

Referring now to FIGURES l to and 8, shaft 42. also carries for rotationtherewith a pulley 106 carrying a timing belt 108 provided with aplurality of lugs 110 adapted to engage the rear of a box bottom to movethe bottom to a position at which it can engage a lid. Belt 108 alsoextends around a timing belt pulley 112 carried by a shaft 114 supportedin bearings 116 and 118 in the sides 12 and 14. A bracket carried lbythe front frame 16 supports a drive motor 122 which lwhen energizeddrives a speed reducer 124, the output shaft 126 of which carries asprocket wheel 128 for driving a pitch chain 130 which drives a sprocketwheel 132 on shaft 114. Shaft 114 carries a second sprocket wheel 134which drives a pitch chain 136 in engagement with a. sprocket wheel 13Son a shaft 140 rotatably supported in hearings 142 and 144 carried bythe machine frame. Shaft 140 carries a cam 146 having a flat 148 thereonwhich is engaged by a follower 159 to permit a microswitch 152 to closeonce during each revolution of shaft 140. As will be explainedhereinafter, switch 152 permits the release of a box bottom -by theescapement bar 68 in timed relation to the arrival of a lug 110 at a`position at which it can engage the rear of a box bottom.

The uprights 70 and 72 carry bearings 154 and 156 which rotatablysupport a shaft 158. Shaft 158 has oppositely threaded portions 160 and162 extending outwardly from the center of the shaft. The respectiveportions 160 and 162 receive threaded bosses 164 and 166 on lid guideside plates 168 and 170 provided with flanges 172 and 174 down whichlids are guided in a manner to be described. It will readily be apparentthat if shaft 158 is turned, the side plates 168 and 170 will movetogether either toward or away from each other. Shaft 158 carries asprocket wheel 176 adapted to be driven to make this adjustment. Sideplates 168 and 170 support a -blower assembly indicated generally by thereference character 178 adapted to supply air to a duct 180. I form aplurality of spaced openings 182 along the top of the duct 180 to createa flow of air which assists in moving lids down along the guides 172 and174. An adjustable damper 183 permits the air flow to be regulated. Afeeler 184 on a shaft 186 carried by a -bracket 188 on side wall 170 isadapted to sense the presence of at least two lids on the guides 172 and174. When a second lid is present, it moves the arm 184 to rotate thecam 190 to a position at which it -actuates a follower 192 to close amicroswitch 194.

vertically extending slots 189 in the respective plates 168 and 170receive studs 191 on an anti-shingle bracket 193 extending across thewidth of the machine above the conveyor 22. Any suitable means such asknobs (not shown) on the studs permit the height of bracket 193 to beadjusted. As will be explained hereinafter, this bracket 193 prevents abottom moving from conveyor 22 to the timing belt from tilting to permita following bottom to move thereunder where relatively shallow bottomsare being handled.

I provide the side plates 168 and 170 with a pair of spring arms 454which hold the lids down as they lmove along the flanges 172 and 174 onthe side guides 168 and 170.

Referring now to FIGURES 2, 4 and 5, a pair of spaced uprights 196 and198 carry bearings 200 and 202 which rotatably support a shaft 204.Shaft 204 has oppositely threaded portions 206 and 208 which receivethreaded blocks or plates 210 and 212 riding in slots 214 and 216 in theright and left front lid guides 218 and 220 of my machine. In responseto rotation of shaft 204, when a sprocket wheel 222 is driven in amanner to be described, guides 218 and 220 move toward or away from eachother.

The central portion of shaft 204 between the threaded portions 206 and208 passes through a vertically extending opening in a front guideadjusting plate 226 secured to a lid top guide member 228. Collars 224on the shaft 204 position the plate 226. i thread `a lead screw 230 intothe top of the plate 226 and turn the screw down until it engages theshaft 204 thus to adjust the height of the front end of guide 228.

I pivotally support the ends of a V-frame 232 on the ends of shaft 204.Extension 234 at the apex of the V- frarne carries a pin 236 which ridesin an opening 238 in an adjusting frame 240 secured to the rear end ofthe guide 228. A lead screw 242 carried by an arm 244 on frame 232 isadapted to engage a lug 246 on the upright 198 to permit adjustment ofthe position of the frame 232 to limit the upward movement of the guide228 against the influence of gravity as a lid is being applied to a boxin a manner to be described.

Referring now to FIGURES 2, 4 and 6, my machine includes a pair ofadjustable uprights 248 and 250 located intermediate the ends of themachine. T-heads 252 and 254 at the lower ends of the uprights arereceived in a T-slot 256 in -a support 257 secured by any suitablemeans, such as a screw 258, to a lift rod 260 slidably supported incross frame members 262 and 264. The adjustable uprights 248 and 250have respec'ive slots 266 and 268 adjacent their upper ends. Each of theslots 266 and 268 receives a pivot pin 270 which extends through theslot, through `a bifurcated extension 272 on the front end of one of theguide plates 168 or 170 and into the rear end of one of the front lidguides 218 or 220. It will readily be apparent that when the uprightsare raised, the members 168 and 170 will swing about the axis of shaft158 while the members 218 and 220 swing about the axis of the shaft 204.The slide plates 210 and 212 permit this movement of the members 218 and220 while the slots in extensions 272 of the members 168 and permit thatmovement of those members.

A bottom being moved by a pusher 228 first engages fixed centeringspring guides 273 and 275 carried by plates 168 and 170. These guides273 and 275 center the box and impede its progress slightly so that alid will be ready to receive it when it arrives at the assembling Zone.The right and left front lid guides 218 and 220 carry respectivecentering rails 274 and 276 pivotally supported on pins 278 and 280 onthe members 218 and 220. Springs 282 carried by the members 218 and 220normally urge the centering rails 274 and 276 to move inwardly topositions at which a lid traveling down the guides 168 and 170 will restupon these centering rails while a box bottom having been released bythe escapement will be moved to a position at which it passes betweenthe rails so that its sides are squeezed inwardly thereby.

A bearing 284 on the machine frame supports a screw 288 adapted to berotated by a crank 286 to move a nut 298 inwardly and outwardly withrespect to the side of the frame. Nut 290 carries a pin 292 which ridesin a slot 294 in one arm of a bell crank 296 pivotally supported on apin 298. The other arm of bell crank 296 has a slot 300 which receives afollower pin 302 secured to the bar 260.

From the structure just described, it will be apparent that when screw288 is turned bell crank 296 is rotated in one direction or the other toraise or lower the adjustable uprights 248 and 250, thereby to raise orlower the centrally located ends of plates 168 and 170 and guides 218and 222.

Respective bearings 304 and 306 on the machine frame rotatably support ashaft 308 having oppositely threaded portions 310 and 312 extendingoutwardly from the center of the shaft. A crank 314 is adapted to beactuated manually to rotate shaft 308. Threaded shaft portions 310 and312 carry respective T-nuts 316 and 318 which ride in correspondingT-slots in the upper ends of the blocks 320 and 322 on the heads 252land 254. Now, when shaft 308 is rotated, the uprights 248 and 250 movetoward or away from each other to accommodate boxes of different widths.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 to 6, I provide my machine with means foradjusting the spacing between plates 168 and 170 and Ibetween guides 218and 220' concomitantly with the adjustment of the spacing betweenuprights 248 and 250. The end of shaft 308 outboard of the bearing 306carries a sprocket wheel 324 for driving a pitch chain 326 adapted todrive a sprocket wheel 328 on a shaft 330. Shaft 330 carries anothersprocket wheel 332 adapted to drive a pitch chain 334. Chain 334 extendsaround an idler sprocket wheel 336 to an idler sprocket wheel 338rotatably supported on the frame adjacent the rear thereof and up andaround the sprocket wheel 176 on shaft 158. Chain 334 then extendsdownwardly around an idler sprocket wheel 340 carried by the upright 70,over into engagement with a chain adjusting sprocket wheel 342 and fromthe wheel 342 to an idler sprocket wheel '344 on the front frame andthence upwardly and a-round the sprocket wheel 222 on the shaft 206.From sprocket wheel 222 and 334 extends around an idler sprocket wheel246 on the front frame and back to the wheel 332.

From the driving arrangement just described, it will readily -beyapparent that when the handle 314 is turned to drive shaft 308, -bothshaft 158 and shaft 204 will be driven. Thus, all the side guidemembers, including the rightand left-hand side plates 168 and 170, therightand left-hand adjustable uprights 250 `and 248, as well as therightand left-hand front guides 218 and 220 will be moved toward or awayfrom each other to accommodate boxes of different widths.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, I have shown an enlarged view of one of thelugs 110 carried by the timing belt 108. I so shape the lug as toprovide a box-rear-engagingsurface 348 which extends forwardly of thebase. Owing to this arrangement the box bottom will be engaged at apoint above the base of the bottom so as to cause the rear wall of thebox, if bowed, to straighten or bend slightly inwardly thus to providemore clearance for the lid as it moves into position over the bottom. Ialso provide the lug top with a bevel 350 to ensure that a fullytelescoping lid will slide down across the face of the lug between thesurface 348 and the rear wall of the box bottom and not come to rest ontop of the lug.

Referring now to FIGURE 9, I have shown one particular form ofelectrical circuit which can be employed to control the operation of myapparatus. I connect respective conductors 430 and 432 to terminals 434and 436 of a suitable source of power. Respective normally open switches438 and 440 are adapted to be closed to connect motor 122 across theconductors 430 and 432. A relay winding 442 is adapted to be energizedin response to operation of a push button switch 444 to close switches438 and 440 and to close a switch 446 to complete the holding circuitfor winding 442 through a normally closed push button switch 448 whichmay be operated to stop the apparatus.

As has been pointed out hereinabove, motor 122 drives cam 146 asindicated schematically by the broken line 450 in FIGURE 9. Cam 146 hasa fiat 148 which is engaged by a follower 150 to permit a switch 152 toclose once for each revolution of the cam. In a particular embodiment ofmy apparatus, switch 152 is permitted to close sixty times a minute. Iconnect the lid sensing switch 194, a normally open switch 452responsive to winding 442, switch 152 and winding 94 in series betweenthe conductors 430 and 432. Thus, with at least two lids present,

with winding 442 energized, solenoid 94 receives a pulse each timeswitch 152 closes.

In setting my apparatus up for operation, I rst make the requiredadjustments for handling a box of the size to be lidded. I achieve thisresult by making live quick adjustments. First, considering the width ofthe box, I turn crank 314 to adjust all of the side guides including theright and left guide walls 168 and 170 and the right and left front lidguides 218 and 220. At the same time, as has been explained hereinabove,the adjustable uprights 248 and 250 are moved to positions at which thedistance separating them corresponds to the proper box width. I next setthe top lid guide or closure bar 228 to the box height. This is readilyachieved by turning the lead screw 230. At the same time I can adjustthe lead screw 242 for the limit position of the member 228. In theposition of the parts of the apparatus shown in the drawings, they areset to handle what would be a very shallow box. When an adjustment ismade the parts move, for example, to the broken line position shown inFIGURE 2.

When the operations just described have been completed, I adjust theescapement mechanism 54 to position the bar 68 at the correct height tobe engaged by a bottom advanced thereto by the conveyor 22, with thestop bar 66 positioned just above the top of the bottom. This adjustmentis achieved by moving the rod 96 in the slot 98 until the pairs of arms76 and 78 have been pivoted through a sufficient distance properly toposition the escapement bar 68 and the stop bar 66. It is necessary,also, that the anti-shingle bracket properly be positioned.

After adjustment of the escapement mechanism, I then set the chutecomprising the anges 172 and 174 at such angle that the bottom will justclear the ends of the chtite. I also adjust the fan air fed by blower178 to duct 180 to give the correct air pressure properly to assistgravity in moving the lids down the chute.

When all of the adjustments described above have been accomplished, Ioperate push button 444 to energize winding 442 to close switches 438and 440 to energize the motor 122. The relay winding 442 also closesswitch 446 to complete the relay holding circuit through switch 448.Switch 452 closes to enable the escapement circuit. When theseoperations have been accomplished, lids are fed to the chute formed byflanges 172 and 174. Under the inuence of gravity, assisted by the flowof air from duct 180, the lids move downwardly along the flanges untilthe lowermost of the lids rest on the upper edges of the two centeringrails 274 and 276. Boxes are fed from a suitable supply to the conveyor22 to a position at which the leading box engages the escapement bar 68.With the parts in this position, once in the course of each revolutionof cam 146, switch 152 closes. Owing to the fact that an adequate supplyof lids is present, switch 194 is closed and when switch 152 closes,solenoid 94 receives a pulse.

As will be apparent from the explanation advanced hereinabove, switch152 closes when a bottom is properly positioned with reference to one ofthe lugs on the timing belt as to permit the surface 348 on the lug toengage the back of the bottom. Accelerating rolls 38 and 40 acceleratethe released bottom toward the timing belt. T he timing belt thencarries the bottom forward until it engages the lid whose leading edgeis resting on the rails 274 and 276. As the bottom moves into the spacebetween the rails 274 and 276, its sides are squeezed together slightlyand at the same time the lug 110 engages the back of the bottom to bowit inwardly slightly. These two operations greatly facilitate movementof the lid onto the bottom. Now the bottom and the lid move togetheralong with the timing belt under the top lid guide or closure bar 228which rests by gravity on the top of the lid. Ultimately, as the bottomand the lid move out of the front of the lidding apparatus 10, the lidis closed firmly on the bottom.

In a practical embodiment |of -my apparatus, I ope-rate the switch .1'52sixty times a minute to cause my apparatus to accomplish 60 liddingoperations a minute. If, after a particular run, a different size box isto. be used, the apparatus is rapidly and expeditiously set up to handlethis new size by making the adjustments outlined above. The bevel 350ensures that a fully telescoping lid will not rest on top of a lug 110but can be completely closed on a bottom.

It will be seen that I have accomplished the objects of my invention. Ihave provided an improved box lidder which accommodates minorimperfections in lids or bottoms in assembling such lids on suchbottoms. My apparatus ensures that a fully telescopng lid moves to afully closed position on a bottom. The escapement mechanism of my boxlidder is readily adjustable to accommodate a wide range of box sizes.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference lto other features andsubcornbinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of myclaims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made indetails within the scope of my claims Without depart-ing from the spiritof my invention. It is therefore, to be understood that my invention isnot to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. Box lidding apparatus for assembling lids on bottoms in an assemblyzone including in combination means for releasably holding a lid in aposition to be engaged by a bottom being advanced through said zone,means for advancing a bottom through said Zone and means for bowing anend wall of said box bottom inwardly as it moves through said zone.

2. In a box binder having a conveyor adapted to carry bottoms through anassembly zone wherein the bottoms receive lids, a pusher on saidconveyor, said pusher having a surface inclined in the direction oftravel of said conveyor to engage a box bottom above the lower edgethereof, -said pusher having a beveled upper forward edge to prevent alid from resting on top of said pusher.

3. In a box lidder having a conveyor kadapted to carry a box bottomthrough an assembly zone wherein the bottom receives a lid, a pusher onsaid conveyor for engaging a bottom to be carried through said zone,said -pusher having a beveled upper forward edge to permit a fullytelescoping lid to close completely on a bottom.

4. In a box lidder having a conveyor adapted to carry bottoms through anassembly zone a pusher on said conveyor, said pusher having a surfaceinclined in the direction of travel of said conveyor to cause saidpusher to engage a box bottom above the lower edge thereof.'

5'. In a box lidder having a conveyor adapted to carry bottoms throughan assembly zone a pusher having a for- Ward rake to engage a box bottomabove the base thereof.

`6. In a box lidder for assembling lids on bottoms in an assembly zone a4conveyor for carrying bottoms through said Zone whereby a bottomcarried through said zone has a trailing end wall and means on saidconveyor for engaging a bottom trailing end wall over an area limited toa portion thereof spaced above the base of said bottom.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1954 Poolen et al. .i3-314K4/1966 Stephens et al. 53-315

1. BOX LIDDING APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING LIDS ON BOTTOMS IN AN ASSEMBLYZONE INCLUDING IN COMBINATION MEANS FOR RELEASABLY HOLDING A LID IN APOSITION TO BE ENGAGED BY A BOTTOM BEING ADVANCED THROUGH SAID ZONE,MEANS FOR ADVANCING A BOTTOM THROUGH SAID ZONE AND MEANS FOR BOWING ANEND WALL OF SAID BOX BOTTOM INWARDLY AS IT MOVES THROUGH SAID ZONE.